A new data of comparative analysis of Nigeria’s three biggest music stars, Burna Boy, Davido and Wizkid has surfaced online with Wizkid edging both Davido and Burna Boy.
Instructively, the estimates and figures used in the analysis are based on publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate.
Based on the numbers, Wizkid appears to have a slight edge over Davido and Burna Boy in terms of streaming numbers, concert revenue, and endorsement deals. However, Davido’s album sales and social media following are impressive.
Burna Boy’s Grammy win and critical acclaim for his albums suggest a strong artistic reputation. Ultimately, determining who is the “bigger” celebrity depends on individual criteria for success.
Here’s a comprehensive comparative analysis of Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy’s numbers:
Streaming Numbers:
– Davido: 4.5 billion streams on Spotify, 2.5 billion views on YouTube
– Wizkid: 6.5 billion streams on Spotify, 3.5 billion views on YouTube
– Burna Boy: 2.5 billion streams on Spotify, 1.5 billion views on YouTube
Concert Revenue:
– Davido: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Accor Arena (Paris), and Barclays Center (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $50-$100
– Wizkid: Sold out shows at O2 Arena (London), Rogers Arena (Vancouver), and Brooklyn Steel (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $60-$120
– Burna Boy: Sold out shows at O2 Academy (London), Fillmore (Miami), and Terminal 5 (New York) with average ticket prices ranging from $30-$70
Earnings from Endorsement Deals:
– Davido: Estimated $1 million – $2 million per deal (MTN, Guinness, Pepsi)
– Wizkid: Estimated $2 million – $3 million per deal (Pepsi, Nike, Cîroc)
– Burna Boy: Estimated $500,000 – $1 million per deal (Star Lager, Glo, Pepsi)
Album Sales:
– Davido: “A Better Time” (2020) – 100,000+ units sold in the US, certified gold by RIAA
– Wizkid: “Made in Lagos” (2020) – 200,000+ units sold in the US, certified platinum by RIAA
– Burna Boy: “Twice As Tall” (2020) – 50,000+ units sold in the US, certified silver by RIAA
Awards and Recognition:
– Davido: 2 BET Awards, 2 MTV Africa Music Awards, 1 MOBO Award
– Wizkid: 1 Grammy Award, 3 BET Awards, 4 MTV Africa Music Awards
– Burna Boy: 1 Grammy Award, 2 BET Awards, 3 MTV Africa Music Awards
Social Media:
– Davido: 20 million followers on Instagram, 5 million on Twitter
– Wizkid: 25 million followers on Instagram, 6 million on Twitter
– Burna Boy: 10 million followers on Instagram, 2 million on Twitter
Net Worth:
– Davido: Estimated $20 million – $30 million
Wizkid: Estimated $30 million – $40 million
Burna Boy: Estimated $10 million – $20 million.
[Vanguard]
The death toll in the suicide bombings in Gwoza LGA of Borno state has risen to 18.
Barkindo Saidu, director-general of Borno State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), confirmed the figure to NAN on Sunday.
Saidu said the victims comprise adult males, females and children.
TheCable had reported that the victims were returning from a wedding ceremony on Saturday when the first suicide bomber detonated an explosive near a motor park.
Another bomber, disguised as a mourner, also detonated an explosive as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.
Saidu said “19 people” were seriously injured in the attacks while 23 others are waiting for military escort in the Medical Regimental Services (MRS) clinic.
“I am now coordinating for a chopper tonight. I have mobilised emergency drugs to complement the shortage of drugs in Gwoza,” NAN quoted him as saying.
“The degree of injuries range from abdominal raptures, skull and limb fractures.
“I have also received a report that there is a suspected suicide bomber in Pulka,” Saidu said.
The military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA in the wake of the attacks.
[TheCable]
Antelopes do not fly. That’s why I often wondered why Rangers International Football Club of Enugu are nicknamed ‘the Flying Antelopes’.
I know the genesis of the name ‘Rangers’. It is a deadly and destructive cannon used by Biafran soldiers during the bloody Nigerian Civil War.
In ‘fighting’ their way back to the mainstream life in Nigeria, and in shedding the toga of a defeated people after the Civil War, some Igbo leaders set up the football club to fast track their re-integration and chose the name ‘Rangers’ to reflect strength, power and an indomitable fighting and winning spirit.
I am happy and grateful that God created me this way - Joshua Akugbe, visual artist born...
One year after the end of the war, the team played its way to the finals of the most prestigious club competition in Nigeria at the time – the FA Cup!
They were only halted in their march to the top only by the heroics of Amusa Adisa, the goalkeeper of WNDC FC, the team that later became IICC Shooting Stars International FC.
Adisa had dramatically caught a last-minute penalty kick taken by Godwin Achebe, Captain of the Green Eagles (before and immediately after the War) and of Rangers FC, that would have possibly helped the team to go on and win a match they were dominating up till that point in the dramatic match. That’s how Rangers lost their first major final match by 2-1 to a team that would become their greatest rival in Nigerian football through the decades since then.
That same year, 1971, in a competition that was referred to as an ‘emergency league’, Rangers FC emerged the league champions for the first time.
But it was in 1974 that their 3-year dominance of Nigerian football truly began. From that year, they went on to win the FA Cup 3 times and the league cup twice, back-to-back.
These achievements were unprecedented in Nigeria’s football history and have not been matched fifty years after.
Remarkably, it was not only the victories that made Rangers International FC famous and a great team. It was inthe manner of their performances on the field of play. They played with uncommon passion and determination. They had very skillful, very strong and very fast players in all departments on the field, with a goalkeeper who,at about 6 ft 5 inches tall, was a real giant between the posts. Emmanuel Okala went on to become the most celebrated goalkeeper with his award of Africa’s Best Player in 1978 by the African Sports Journalists Union.
Rangers International FC always and everywhere played as if possessed, contesting for every ball on the field as if their lives depended on it, physically intimidating and dominating teams with their physicality, power and speed, leaving a physical or mental ‘scar’ on every opposing team.
These achievements were unprecedented in Nigeria’s football history and have not been matched fifty years after.
Remarkably, it was not only the victories that made Rangers International FC famous and a great team. It was in the manner of their performances on the field of play. They played with uncommon passion and determination. They had very skillful, very strong and very fast players in all departments on the field, with a goalkeeper who,at about 6 ft 5 inches tall, was a real giant between the posts. Emmanuel Okala went on to become the most celebrated goalkeeper with his award of Africa’s Best Player in 1978 by the African Sports Journalists Union.
Rangers International FC always and everywhere played as if possessed, contesting for every ball on the field as if their lives depended on it, physically intimidating and dominating teams with their physicality, power and speed, leaving a physical or mental ‘scar’ on every opposing team.
In 1977, Rangers FC added the appellation ‘International’ to its name when it won the Africa Cup-winners Cup, only the second Nigerian club side to win the same continental trophy. One year earlier, in 1976, IICC Shooting Stars International FC had blazed the international success trail.
That achievement meant a great deal in Nigerian football and to the global followers of the great club based inEnugu. To mark the 40th anniversary of winning the continental trophy, in 2017, the clubs patrons and supporters organised and held the biggest celebration in the history of the team in Houston, Texas, USA.
Why USA?
Most of the surviving players of the 1970s and 1980s had moved to the USA for studies or in pursuit of a better life. It was, therefore, a great opportunity to re-unite and celebrate them in an audience of members of the Igbo community in the USA with a surprise-guest to embellish the historic event.
… a Ranger that never played for Rangers International!
When I received a phone call from the Patron of the Rangers FC Supporters Club in the USA, Chief Benson Ejindu, inviting me to the celebration, it was a confirmation of my deepest love. I had always loved members of the Rangers International football players in the national team. They infected every one of us from different clubs with their positive attitude and fighting spirit. They inspired and drove us to new heights in the national teams of the 1970s. A few of the players became my best friends beyond the football field, a relationship we have sustained till this day.
Despite this mutual admiration and respect between us, I was a tormentor-in-chief of Rangers International FC during the years of their rivalry with my team, Shooting Stars FC. There were 6 players from Rangers FC and 5 from Shooting Stars in the 1980 AFCON-winning Green Eagles. We should have been ‘enemies’, but were not. The friendship between us sustained beyond our times as members of the national team.
The epic semi-final matches of the Africa Cup-Winners Cup in 1977, pitched Rangers International with their fiercest domestic rivals, Shooting Stars FC. Those two matches are still considered amongst the greatest and most memorable football matches in Nigeria’s football history. Although Rangers eventually won via penalty kicks after the second match that was played on neutral ground in Kaduna, the story of what actually transpired could only be recalled and told by one deeply involved in the unprecedented football drama.
That’s why I was invited. To grace the event with my presence and to recall the period for the benefit of the audience of over 400 Nigerians packed into a hall in downtown Houston in 2017.
It was apparent from my unscripted story that my love for Rangers International FC is deep. It was a team I would have loved to play for in those days of our rivalry, but for the fact that I was Yoruba, and Rangers were a team that wore the banner of a team with a mission after the Civil war between ‘brothers’.
That’s why, I refer to myself a Ranger that never played for Rangers International FC.
That’s why, last week, I celebrated Rangers International’s return to the top of Nigerian football in their achievement as professional Football League winners.
I am hoping that this will spur other teams in the category of Movements of the people, to make a comeback and be in the fore front of football development as business in the country.
That’s why the return of Rangers International FC as champions of the Nigerian Professional Football league is huge! I add my humble voice to the celebrations
India won the T20 World Cup title with Virat Kohli starring in a thrilling seven run victory over South Africa in a classic final at Kensington Oval on Saturday.
Kohli, who later announced his retirmenet from T20 internationals, steadied the India innings with his fine 76 taking them to a strong 176-7.
When Heinrich Klaasen blasted a superb 52 from 27 balls, it looked as though South Africa, appearing in first final, were closing in on victory but they were halted by some outstanding Indian bowling and catching at the end.
South Africa ended on 169-8 with Hardik Pandya taking 3-20 for India to the delight of the huge Indian following at the stadium.
The win is the second T20 World Cup title for India following their triumph in the first edition in 2007 and it also ends their 11-year wait for a major title going back to the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Veteran Kohli had struggled in the tournament, coming into the final with an average of just 10.7, but he delivered his best innings at the perfect moment with his balanced batting ensuring India won the title after an unbeaten tournament.
“I am so proud to get the runs for the team the day it mattered most,” said Kohli.
“The occasion prompted that change for me, I felt like it was now or never. We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time.
“The occasion made me put my head down, respect the situation and play the innings that the team needed from me.
“I wasn’t feeling myself before today. I wasn’t confident. So I am very grateful and humble right now. It has been difficult, so there are a lot of emotions,” he added, confirming that the game was his last T20 for India.
“This was an open secret. It’s time for the next generation to take over.”
– Yadav catch –
Kohli’s asssured display was just what was needed for India who had slipped to 34 for three after their captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat.
In what has been a low scoring tournament, the total looked to be a daunting one for South Africa but then Quinton de Kock (39) and Tristan Stubbs (31) set the Proteas on their way before Klaasen turned the game in their direction in the 15th over, smashing Axar Patel for 24 including two fours and two sixes.
When Klaasen was finally removed, caught behind off Hardik Pandya, the Proteas needed just 26 off the last 23 balls.
Knowing they had to take the initiative, Rohit turned early for Jasprit Bumrah’s final over and he answered the skipper’s call perfectly, bowling Marco Jansen and conceding just two runs in the 18th over.
That meant South Africa needed 20 from the final two overs and Arshdeep Singh bowled a superb length to allow just four.
With 16 to win off the last over, Pandya bowled a full-toss at Miller who smashed it high straight down the ground but Suryakumar Yadav produced a breath-taking catch on the boundary, throwing the ball back into play before he crossed the ropes and then returning to complete the catch.
Kagiso Rabada edged a four and Pandya showed some nerves with a wide but the seamer kept his cool to ensure silverware for India after they lost in last year’s 50 Over World Cup on home soil.
For the 35-year-old Kohli it was the perfect way to bow out in the format.
“This was my last T20 World Cup and this is exactly what we wanted to achieve,” he said.
“It was an amazing game. One day you feel like you can’t get a run but one day, things just click. It hasn’t quite sunk in for me yet.”
It was a bitter end for South Africa who had reached their first World Cup final after ending a streak of seven defeats in semi-finals in both World Cup formats.
“Gutted for the time being, it’ll take some time to reflect on a really good campaign, hurts quite a bit but incredibly proud,” said captain Aiden Markram.
“We bowled well, not a lot to work with, it was a chaseable total, batted well, came down to the wire, gutted not to get over the line.
“Things happen quickly at the back end, but got into a great position to prove we were worthy finalists.
“South Africans are competitive, respectful and will go down with a fight. It’s still a proud moment for us.”
Presidential Fleet: Nigeria’s President has 10 planes; leaders of Britain, Singapore have none
AFOLABI
Fleet among the largest in the world
Before then, senior Air Force officers, in their grey-upon-blue well-ironed uniforms, were seen on the eleventh floor of the Federal Secretariat which was then the office of the SGF, hanging around.
The argument was that since the Chief of Staff was the head of the staff attached to the President and since he was aware of the hourly movement of the President, he was in a better position to control the fleet adequately.
I understand the fleet is now under the National Security Adviser.
Before 1999, the fleet was almost dormant for lack of use.
General Ibrahim Babangida (72) hardly travelled outside the country except to visit some states and Chief Earnest Oladeinde Adegunle Shonekan (79), whose tenure lasted less than 100 days, made use of the fleet only once when he attended the Commonwealth Conference outside Nigeria. The second time he used the fleet was when he was overthrown and brought down to Lagos in company of Chief Dapo Sarumi.
General Sani Abacha hardly travelled outside Abuja.
In fact, during his era, pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet complained of under utilisation, raising fears that they might lose their licenses for not flying enough.
In 1997, Abacha made only five trips outside Abuja, and, in 1998, he made three trips; the fourth would have taken him to Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso on June 8, 1998 for the African Union Conference, the very day he died.
General Abdusalami Abubakar, who spent less than eleven months in office, was too busy with his transition programme that he hardly travelled.
He made four trips during his era, among which were two to Niger Delta to inspect oil spillage in that area.
Flying President
As for President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Jagunmolu of Egbaland, he was a flying President. Even till date, when the Presidential Fleet is outside his control, he is still flying around the world.
He loves to fly. That is the way he is. And the pilots attached to the Presidential Fleet loved him for that.
Important posting
The Presidential Fleet remains today the most important posting in the Nigerian Air Force.
For example, the present Chief of Defence Staff, Marshall Alex Sabundu Badeh, was an officer of the Presidential Fleet, as he flew former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar between 1999 and 2007 severally.
Even the present Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Nunayun Amosu, was an officer of the Nigeria Presidential Air Fleet too.
The fleet is among those with the largest number aircraft in the world in comparison to other countries.
Who has what?
The British Prime Minister has no presidential aircraft.
Members of the British Government charter either British Airways or Virgin Atlantic most time they have to travel.
The government of Tunisia operates a Boeing 737 BBJ.
An Airbus A340-500 has also been purchased and VIP configured, but was never used for travel and has been stored since 2011 revolution that ousted former dictator Ben Ali.
The Tunisian government is reportedly trying to sell both aircraft.
The government of Algeria operates an Airbus A340-500.
The Chief Executive of Hong Kong travels in commercial aircraft, usually operated by Cathay Pacific.
He travels in helicopters operated by the Government Flying Service.
The Ivorian government uses a Gulf IV as a VIP aircraft.
Further, they also use a government Boeing 727-200WGL.
The State of Israel does not currently possess a specific jet for use by its Head of State.
Wherever the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flies long distances (out of the country), the government leases an airliner from the state airline El Al. Meanwhile, President Reuvin Rivlin and other high ranking dignitaries are relegated to El Al first class commercial service.
As of 2014, the Knesset was considering the purchase of such an aeroplane, dubbed ‘Israeli Air Force One’.
Kenya’s President has a Fokker 70 for use as the presidential jet.
Fokker Executive plane was purchased at a cost of $50 million.
The 70-seater jet was reconfigured and fitted with telecommunication facilities.
Prior to the purchase of the Fokker, the Kenya President primarily used Airways for his international travels.
The Saudi Arabian Royal Flight operates a Boeing 747-300 and a Boeing 747-400 for use by the King of Saudi Arabia.
The President, Prime Minister of Singapore and government officials typically travel on regular scheduled commercial flights run by Singapore Airlines.
However, on rare occasions or short trips, government officials may travel on one of the few passenger-configured Fokker-50 operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
The President of South Africa travels in a Boeing 737 (BBJ) operated by the South African Air Force 21 Squadron, which is based at AFB Waterkloof, near Pretoria, the executive capital, i.e. the seat of the executive branch of the South African government.
21 Squadron also operates a fleet of two Falcon 50 and a Falcon 900B Fleet,550/1 Citation 2, and a Global Express XRS is hired to escort the President on long flights as a back-up aircraft.
The Falcon 900 is normally used by the Deputy President and high-ranking cabinet ministers.
The President of Zimbabwe travels in a charted Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER aircraft, which is part of the national airline’s fleet.
Occasionally, the President will share the plane with commercial passengers on scheduled flights.
The Tanzania Government Flight Agency operates a Gulfstream G550 for VIP transports.
There are other two other VIP aircraft: a Fokker F-50 and F-28 for internal and regional destinations as well.
The President of Ghana flies on a Falcon EX 900 jet.
The Botswana Defence Force operated a Gulfstream IV transport but has since been sold and the Botswana Defence Force now operates a Global Express OK1.
The government of Burkina uses a special Boeing 727.
A Falcon 900 has been added, and is the type frequently in use now.
The Egyptian government operates an Airbus A340-200 as a VIP transport.
The first presidential airplane was given as a gift from Saudi Arabia to Egypt.
The Pope is one of the richest and famous men on earth. He is the Head of the Catholic Church and has followership all over the world.
Typically, the Pope flies on a chartered Alitalia fixed-wing aircraft when travelling to or from more distant destinations. Traditional protocol dictates that a Pope flies to a country he is visiting in a chartered Alitalia jet and to return on a jet belonging to a flag carrier from the visited nation; this may vary when he is touring multiple nations.
The Nigerian’s Presidential Air Fleet is maintained with over 10 billion naira budget annually.
Poor states like Osun, Gombe, Ebonyi, Ekiti get less than 2 billion naira every month from the Federation Account.
The Presidential Fleet of Nigeria has the third largest air fleet in the country coming behind Arik, which has twenty-two, and Aero Contractors which has fourteen.
The Presidential Air Fleet has ten aircraft. They include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One) and Gulfstream IVSP.
Others are Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 and Hawk Siddley 125-800 jet.
Each of the two Falcon 7X jets purchased in 2010 cost $51.1m, while the Gulfstream 550 costs $53.3m. However, airline CEOs put the average price of Falcon 900 at $35m, Gulfstream IVSP at $40m, Gulfstream V at $45m, Boeing 737 BBJ at $58m, Cessna Citation is $7m and Hawker Siddley 125-800 at $15m.
In addition, the Federal Government last year submitted several new items to be purchased by the Presidential Air Fleet to the National Assembly for approval.
The items listed as new in the PAF budget are- the completion of hanger project (N405,500,000.00), tyre bay tools and equipment (N106,000,000.00), Towberless tow tractor for aircraft towing (N58,740,000.00), hanger sweeper (N31,870,000.00), luggage conveyor belt truck (N28,898,000.00) and Harlan tow aircraft equipment towing ( N27,590,000.00).
Other news items are- CCTV and surveillance equipment (N18,000,000.00), aircraft tools and equipment (N11,480,000.00), battery workshop equipment (N5,050,000.00), complete tool box for general works and vehicles ( N 360,000.00), heavy duty crocodile jacks ( N 300,000.00), aluminium ladder (N285,000.00), safety boots (N52,500.00) and foldable ladder (N50,000.00).
Question
The question before us is, can we maintain the Presidential Air Fleet in the face of our dwindling economy? The answer is no.
The alternative is to sell some of the aircraft to reduce cost.
It is even cheaper to charter planes for some of our top officials than to maintain the Presidential Air Fleet as it is now.
The other angle is to let the Nigerian Air Force face other challenges, instead of the present rivalry among senior officers over posting to the Presidential Air Fleet.
I think we have many projects to tackle instead of the temporary comfort of our leaders. All these are for the consideration of the incoming government of Major General (rtd.) Muhammadu Buhari.
In his Essays of Innovation, Francis Bacon wrote, “And he that will not apply New Remedies must expect New evil; for time is the greatest innovator.”
Nollywood actress Nkechi Blessing Sunday has publicly expressed her growing anxiety over her unmarried status, sharing her thoughts and emotions on social media. The actress, known for her vibrant personality, revealed that the pressure to marry has intensified, especially in light of recent high-profile weddings in the entertainment industry.
Nkechi Blessing, a mother of one, is believed to be in a relationship with a South-South politician and socialite. Despite this, the recent wedding of music star Davido to Chioma, which took social media by storm, has heightened her sense of urgency about getting married.
Nkechi admitted that the joy and celebration surrounding these weddings have made her more eager to walk down the aisle herself.
Taking to her Instagram page, Nkechi shared that while she wasn’t previously ready for marriage, the recent weddings of her colleagues have shifted her perspective. She conveyed her newfound readiness to settle down, expressing her desire to experience the happiness and fulfillment that comes with marriage.
Nkechi’s social media post also highlighted her playful side as she pondered potential hashtags for her and her boyfriend Xxssive.
She considered options like “ExcessLove,” “XxBlessing,” “Nkechi is XX,” or “Xxssive is Blessing.” Her lighthearted approach to the situation showed her optimism and excitement about the future.
The actress emphasized the beauty and sweetness of love, urging her followers not to believe otherwise. She reflected on the genuine smiles and joy she observed in the recently married couples, reinforcing her belief in the positive aspects of love and marriage.
She admitted to feeling panicked by the pressure to get married as she acknowledged that while societal expectations can be overwhelming, they have also pushed her to consider marriage more seriously. Her honesty about her feelings added depth to her message, making it more relatable to her audience.
In her post, Nkechi sought suggestions for the best designer for her wedding dresses, signaling her readiness to start planning her big day. She playfully asked her followers for hashtag ideas, inviting them to join in her excitement and anticipation. This interactive approach further endeared her to her fans, who eagerly offered their support and suggestions.
A Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has said he turned down a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele to have peace of mind.
Akindele, who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.
According to the charge sheet, the bribe was offered to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.
Sini was said to have led the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the case against the businessman.
Speaking at a dinner organised to honour him on Friday in Abuja, Sini said, “I am very happy to be here, and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination, and they have added more grease to my elbow. Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said, ‘This is an opportunity for you to be rich’
“So what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches. I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.
“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”
He advised youths in the country not to trade their integrity for anything.
Sini added, “To the youth out there, I just want to tell them that integrity counts, that it’s good to be up and doing, that it’s possible to be in the midst of a lot of challenges and still stand to be different. Nigeria is our country, and Nigeria shall be great.”
At the event, Sini was given a plot of land in Abuja.
Presenting the document of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.
“We are proud of you, I want to let you know that your conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria Police Force. We urge other members of the force to emulate SP Sini,” Igweh said while presenting Sini with the documents of the land.
Also, the organisers of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Vegas Homes, Chukwuemeka Okoye, said Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct.
He said, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force but have also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.
“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrating that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.
“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force have officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive to engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples”.
Barring any change in plans, the Nigerian government will purchase an Airbus A330 aircraft seized from an unnamed Arab prince and businessman who could not pay hundreds of millions of dollars he owed a German bank, PREMIUM TIMES reports.
Presidency officials have kept their lips shut about plans to buy a new presidential jet.
However, this newspaper has obtained information that the government has already identified an aircraft for purchase but is scrambling for funds to consummate the transaction.
The identified aircraft is said to be a repossessed one recovered from a troubled oil sheikh who used the aeroplane as collateral for a loan he obtained from an unidentified German bank to buy it. When a bank loan is taken to purchase an aircraft, the aircraft is usually pledged as collateral.
Our sources said the bank repossessed the aircraft from the debtor businessman but found it challenging to sell due to its executive customization.
The aircraft is now in the possession of L & L International LLC, an American aviation firm based in Miami, Florida. L & L International LLC is trying to help the German bank sell it to the Nigerian government.
The Edo State Police Command has announced the arrest of the suspected killer of Glory Adekolure, a University of Benin graduate.
Adekolure was said to have gone to school for her final clearance on June 13, 2024, but her corpse was found under a tree on a street in the Iyowa Community of Benin City, close to her house.
The suspect was apprehended in Asaba, Delta State, 15 days after Adekolure’s death.
According to the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, in an interview with Channels Television, monitored by our correspondent, on Saturday, the suspect confessed to killing Adekolure and at least eight other young women.
He said, “I am happy to inform the good people of Edo State and the good people of Nigeria that the killer of Glory Adekolure, a 22-year old final year Chemistry student of the University of Benin has been apprehended.
“He was apprehended in Asaba, Delta state. After killing Glory, he ran away, he was aware we were trailing him and due to the painstaking investigations of our anti-kidnapping and cybercrime unit, he was arrested and confessed not only to the killing of Glory Adekolure but to the killing of eight other similar ladies.”
Adegboye said the suspect had not been paraded yet, adding that police are still investigating the incident.
Political appointments in Nigeria are sometimes trailed by controversies, especially when certain patterns are deduced.
Questions about compensation or competence of the appointees also often arise.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari was accused of being religiously and ethnically lopsided in his appointment.
For President Bola Tinubu who suceeded him, the common accusation, though still tender, is that he favours people of Yoruba descent.
The former governor of Lagos, it appears, has a knack for appointing people who had served the state, especially those who worked with him as far back as the return of democracy in 1999.
Here are some recent presidential appointees who served in Lagos government in the past.
OLATUNJI BELLO — FORMER ENVIRONMENT COMMISSIONER NOW IN FCCPC
On June 24, Olatunji Bello was appointed as the chief executive officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
Bello is a lawyer, administrator, and journalist. He studied law and holds a master’s degree in international law and diplomacy from the University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2002.
He was the former secretary to the Lagos state government.
He had his first public service stint under Tinubu when he became managing director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, in 2010.
In 2011, he was appointed as commissioner for environment under the administration of Babatunde Fashola and served in that capacity till May 2015 when he was appointed as secretary to the Lagos state government by Akinwunmi Ambode.
DAYO MOBEREOLA — FORMER TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONER NOW IN NIMASA
Tinubu appointed Dayo Mobereola as director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) in March.
Mobereola was the commissioner for transportation in Lagos from 2015 to 2016. Before his appointment, he was the managing director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) from 2002 to 2015.
He holds a Ph.D and an M.Sc in transport economics from the University of Wales, United Kingdom.
Before joining public service, Mibereola was the deputy managing director and project development director at AFM Consulting Plc, London.
He was also a senior economist at British Petroleum Shipping Limited; and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Transport, both in England and in Nigeria.
AYODEJI ARIYO — FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER NOW IN BPE
Tinubu appointed Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the director-general of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in June.
In January 2022, ex-President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Gbeleyi as the board chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN),
Gbeleyi served as commissioner of finance in Lagos from 2013 to 2015 under Fashola with concurrent responsibility for the oversight of the office of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
He is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
Gbeleyi is also an alumnus of executive programmes of London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Lagos Business School.
JIDE IDRIS — FORMER HEALTH COMMISSIONER NOW IN NCDC
Jide Idris was a three-term commissioner for health in Lagos.
He served as health commissioner under the governments of Tinubu, Fashola and Ambode.
Idris also served as a permanent secretary in the Lagos state ministry of health.
In February, Tinubu appointed him as the director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).
Idris succeeded Ifedayo Adetifa who headed the NCDC since September 2021.
He graduated from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), before obtaining his master of public health (MPH) degree at the Yale University, US.
Idris is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).
DELE ALAKE — FORMER INFORMATION COMMISSIONER NOW IN SOLID MINERALS
Dele Alake was Tinubu’s commissioner for information and strategy from 1999 to 2007, after serving as his special adviser in the same capacity.
In June 2023, Tinubu appointed Alake as his special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, and later as minister for solid minerals development in August.
Alake was born in October 1956 and holds a bachelor of science degree in political science and a master’s in mass communications from the University of Lagos.
WALE EDUN — FORMER FINANCE COMMISSIONER, NOW FINANCE MINISTER
Adebayo Olawale Edun served as the Lagos state commissioner for finance for two terms from 1999 to 2007 during Tinubu’s tenure.
He was appointed minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy in August 2023 after serving as Tinubu’s special adviser on monetary policies.
Edun completed his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of London and his masters in economics from the University of Sussex, England.
He is a former chair of ChapelHillDenham Group, and an executive director of Lagos merchant bank, Investment Banking & Trust Company Limited, now Stanbic IBTC.
He is also the founder and chair of Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame.
HAKEEM MURI-OKUNOLA — FORMER LAGOS HEAD OF SERVICE, NOW TINUBU’S PRIVATE SECRETARY
Muri-Okunola is another figure who was in active service of the Lagos state government, though not in the capacity of a commissioner.
In September 2023, he resigned as the Lagos state head of service after five years to take up appointment as Tinubu’s principal private secretary.
Muri-Okunola was appointed personal assistant to Tinubu between 2003 and 2005. After serving as his personal assistant, Tinubu appointed him executive secretary of the land use and allocation committee.
He became permanent secretary in 2011 — about 10 years after joining the civil service — and was posted to the Lands Bureau in the Governor’s Office.
YEMI CARDOSO — FORMER COMMISSIONER FOR BUDGET, NOW CBN GOVERNOR
He was a banker, stockbroker and consultant. He was appointed as the chairman of the board of Citibank Nigeria. He was also a member of the Cities Alliance’s Africa Think Tank Group.
Yemi Cardoso was appointed commissioner for economic planning and budget in Lagos in 1999 when Tinubu became governor of the state.
In September 2023, Tinubu appointed him as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
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Ex-governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party or LP, Mr Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as ordered by the court.
Obi while addressing journalists in his hometown of Anambra on Saturday said the continued detention of Kanu when the court had granted him bail was against the rule of law in the text that was made available.
It’s not clear when the court granted Kanu another bail apart from the 2017 bail.
Before he was granted bail, he was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on treasonable felony filed against him by the Federal Government.
However, the court revoked the bail and issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he failed to present himself as required.
The IPOB leader was rearrested in Kenya in 2021.
Since then, he has been in detention and has failed to secure another bail after several applications.
The latest denial of bail was handed down to Kanu on May 20 when the presiding judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Binta Murtala Nyako, held that, he had jumped bail in 2017 and would not be grnated another.
The judge said, “You have an option of appeal. Please exercise your right of appeal,” in the ruling that was delivered few weeks after Kanu had failed in an earlier bail application.
But Obi explained that, “Government must obey the law as the rule of law is an intrinsic asset that we must cherish and live with. And I have always said that I am going to discuss with every agitator.
“I plead with the government to ensure that all those who are in similar conditions are released and discussed with. We are a democratic nation and we should not be doing things that are arbitrary and not within the law,” he stated.
He challenged the government to work harder to curb insecurity, noting, “The primary work of government is the security of lives and property.
“Like I always say, the primary duty of any government is security of life and property. It is the foundation on which people live in a nation because nobody can stay in an insecure place.
“And it is worrisome what is happening in Nigeria where people wake up everyday with
news of killings, abductions and kidnappings, which have made Nigeria one of the most insecure places on the surface of the earth and it requires urgent attention”.
On what’s happening in the South East, Obi said, “As I thank the governments in the zone for their efforts, there is a need to do more. I want our governors to come together as a family to solve this problem. I am saying this with the little experience I had when I was there.
“As the federal government appears to have overshadowed everybody, the governors should urgently come together. They can even invite those of us who have been there to interact with them to chart the way forward.
“Yes, there was an attempt in the past that failed, but I don’t believe in failure. There should be more effort to make it work. They should also work with security agencies, vigilante groups to achieve the desired objective.
“Even with an economic agenda, I want to see the South East governors work more closely. We want to see them come together and also bring together other groups in the zone.”
He also said he is against destructive protest, stating that, “I’m against destruction of government assets and property, because it is still our scarce resources that we are going to use to repair them.
“Peaceful protest is allowed, but it must be for a reason and not personal interest of some people. It must be properly articulated and properly directed.
“I recall when people said they were protesting police brutality and I said to them no, let’s rather deal with the leadership issue.
“If we have good leaders, their agents can’t be bad. The problem is leadership. If the leaders are competent, have the capacity and doing the right thing, their agents will follow their examples.
“I want to use this opportunity to say that all those who are being held because of one protest or the other should be released, whether they are freedom fighters, EndSARS protesters because there is freedom of speech..
“We are a democratic country and people have the right under the constitution to express themselves freely. They also have the right to peacefully protest and we must listen to them.
“We must listen to those who say they are not happy, that is why it is a democratic nation. We should stop acting dictatorial and behave as if this is not a democratic country.
“I know we are in a state of capture, but then, we should act in a manner that shows some decency.”
On whether there are plans for him to join other politicians to form a mega party, Obi said: I’m more particular on how the poor Nigerians can feed.
“I will rather talk about things that are affecting Nigerians today. We politicians are preoccupied by elections, and that is not what I’m after. I’m talking about how we can reduce the prices of food?
“Our people are dying of hunger. How do we make life more conducive for the poor Nigerian? How do we make our people earn more money? How do we pull people out of poverty? That should be our concern, and not forming a mega party.
“But if forming a mega party will provide all these things I have illustrated, then I’m all for it. But if it is for state capture, so that you can take power and continue with the consumption, consumption, consumption, that we see today, I will say no. But if it is to move it to production, production, production, then I say yes.”
At least seven people were reportedly killed on Saturday after two suspected suicide bombers attacked some wedding guests at Marrarraban Gwoza in Borno state.
Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, reported that many of the victims were said to be returning from a wedding ceremony when the first suicide bomber detonated her explosive near a motor park.
Makama said the suicide bomber was identified as a lady in her early 20s, adding that the injured ones were taken to the hospital in Gwoza.
Also, another bomber, disguised as a mourner, detonated an explosive in Gwoza LGA as residents were preparing for the burial of those killed in the first attack.
Makama said one person reportedly died and 16 others were injured during the attack.
The publication added that Yusuf Lawal, Borno commissioner of police, confirmed the incident.
Meanwhile, the military has imposed a curfew in Gwoza LGA to enable them to secure the town from any further threat.
In March 2024, two people were injured after an improvised explosive device (IED), strapped to a suspected suicide bomber, detonated near a mosque in Biu LGA of Borno state.
Germany scored twice in the second half to overcome Denmark 2-0 in the second round of the 2024 European Championship.
Kai Havertz’s penalty and Jamal Musiala’s well-taken goal made the difference against a spirited Danish side at the BVB Stadion on Saturday.
The Germans, who were shaky in their last group game, started the second-round clash a better side and thought they had the lead early on, but a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled it out for offside.
The Danes eventually settled into the match, but their newfound confidence was scuttled when the game was suspended after 36 minutes due to heavy rain and lightning.
The players were forced off for 25 minutes before the match was resumed, but both teams went into the interval with the score goalless.
The eventual breakthrough goal came dramatically in the 53rd minute after VAR cancelled Joachim Andersen’s goal for Denmark for offside before awarding a penalty against the same player for handball.
Havertz duly stepped up to dispatch the penalty, handing Germany a controversial lead.
The scoreline was extended in the 68th minute when Musiala latched on to a long punt forward before slotting into the bottom corner to send a vociferous crowd into celebration mode for an impending passage into the last eight.
Die Mannschaft held on for a comfortable win and progressed to the quarter-final stage, where they will face either Spain or Georgia.
In the other match of the day, Switzerland scored once in each half to claim a deserved 2-0 win over Italy, knocking the holders out of the tournament.
Remo Freuler and Ruben Vargas were on target as the Swiss bagged the shock win to book a place in the last eight.
A Nigerian couple has been arrested in Anambra State and handed over to the police.
The couple was arrested over the treatment meted out to their five underage sons in the Osumenyi community, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mr Uche and Mrs Peace Mbonu are accused of alleged child abuse, starvation and refusal to provide necessities for their five underaged boys.
The arrest was carried out by the security operatives of the Nnewi South LGA before they were handed over to the police through the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo.
This was made known on Saturday, June 29, in a statement by the media aide to the commissioner, Chidimma Ikeanyionwu.
The statement read, "On why they starved the kids, the couple denied the allegation and stated in their defence that the kids are always in the habit of eating raw rice, which makes them infuriated.
"While pleading for pardon, the couple said that they always feed the kids but that the children prefer eating raw rice, which they don’t know where they picked up the behaviour from.
"On his part, the oldest of the kids, Chigbo Mbonu, revealed that Peace Mbonu is his father’s third wife, and ever since she came into their family, they have faced a lot of untold hardship.
"Chigbo Mbonu, who is currently 17 years old, said that they feed once a day for the days their stepmother will give them food but rely on raw rice and palm kernel after hunger must have greatly dealt with them.
He went ahead to explain that he, at some point, stopped schooling because he helped his father in his block industry. He noted that he moulds blocks with four bags of cement on a bad day and six bags on normal days.
"Further physical examination of the children by the Women Affairs commissioner showed that they have been greatly starved and in need of medical care.
"It is important to note that Mr Uche Mbonu has married two wives before finally settling with the third one Peace Mbonu, who was his sales girl, and that the kids are all product of his previous marriages.
"According to the security operatives who helped in apprehending the culprits, they explained that after they got the husband, his wife Peace ran to Nnewi, her maternal home to hide before they eventually apprehended her too."
While reacting to the development, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ify Obinabo, condemned the act and stated that the state government will continue to ensure that child labour, abuse and all forms of maltreatment are reduced to the barest minimum.
The couple has since been handed over to the police for further investigation, after which the matter will be charged to court.